Southern California - Now I can call myself a double rider

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

Well I am glad you are waiting for the lashing. I am in group number two and well youre right Im not that friendly. Now hand over the sequin Jersey, I bet that is your secret weapon.

Ron, I can't imagine anyone being offended by what you wrote. I interpret this as your observations about riders who complete long distance endurance events on a regular basis and how it IS a tight knit group (although IMHO and outlook, an inclusive group). Also, I think there are groups like the ADO gang and the So Cal BFers (still looking for a better name for more decent initials!) who all meet and ride the same rides. But there are certainly riders of doubles who fit #2 and #3 who are just as much a benefit to the rides. Several of our guys on here did yesterday's double at amazing speeds but when encountered on the route (or before taking off in the morning), they were just as much in the spirit of camaraderie as me...Miss Fiddle-Fart-Photo-Taker rider. Likewise, with the right group, a simple little century ride (who are we kidding anyway? 100 miles is STILL an endurance event people!) is just as impactful as a double (only in less time and with less pain).

But I get what your saying...:D

Oh, one more thing I forgot to add ... we all do need our head examined :D

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.


No tongue lashing from me ;) Congratulations Ron! Job well done :p

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

No, no - that won't do. Let me show you how it's done -

4. Double Century riders are - how you say - OLD

Did someone mention lashing?

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/whip.gif

Did someone mention lashing?

http://smiley.onegreatguy.net/whip.gif

I think Ron was specifically looking for some tongue.

Oh, one more thing I forgot to add ... we all do need our head examined :D


oh so very true......

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

I think you were a double rider when you rode in your first double.

As for the other thing. I'm not in group #2 or #3, so I don't know if that means if I'm fun or not. I'm offended at the exclusion though. :p

I think Ron was specifically looking for some tongue.
:roflmao: :roflmao: :lol: :roflmao: :roflmao:

After completing the triple crown, I now have a sense of pride. For years, I've always been looking at double century riders with respect and admiration. I've been friends with the ADO Gang for years, but always felt like an outsider looking in. Then, I read about all the double century ride reports, and even the KOM ride reports. I do appreciate the accolades everyone has been giving me, and I just want to say thanks!

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

You're right on with 1 and 2, I see the same faces over and over on the doubles, but outside of the BF folks I don't think I've seen a familiar face on the century rides. Oh, and make sure and get Lynn to join the forum! :)

You're right on with 1 and 2, I see the same faces over and over on the doubles, but outside of the BF folks I don't think I've seen a familiar face on the century rides. Oh, and make sure and get Lynn to join the forum! :)
Believe me, I've been trying ...

Congrats on the triple crown! :beer:

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.

Very true.
I did my rode first century a week before I worked my first double, the Butterfield '06. I worked the #4 CP with Elise and Paul Haussler. I remember telling Elise that I would like to do a double some day. She told me to start out with the "easy" ones so that's what I did this year. First was Solvang and then the Grand Tour. As I was climbing up to Ojai I caught up to Elise and I said "remember me?" She recognized me and we talked a bit. Her husband Paul had broken his collar bone so he was working the ride and I met him again at the lunch stop and he remembered me as well.

I have volunteered on two doubles and two singles in the last year and a half and the double riders are definitely a different crowd. I have gotten to know many of them and it is like an "exclusive club" a club that I am proud to be a part of.
Jon

Anyone can do a century, doing a double takes quite a bit more effort(mostly mental). Most people dont even do a double because they dont think they can do it.

I've done a double, and personally, I dont like it( I did one). I just dont enjoy the really really long rides because they are either a) way too slow b) way too fast. Also, it seems like another numbers game. I find no joy in doing X amount of miles.

My perfect ride is 50-80 miles with 2-3 good climbs.

After riding my third double, my body knows what it takes. It's an accomplishment just to finish, and what ovoleg says is true. Majority of it is mental. But come to think of it, if you do this, you are mental!

Now that I have gotten over the barrier of doing it, I started to notice what some of the other riders think about this ... and seeing how I performed here, it is motivating me to do more this year. Part of it is the fun and cameraderie I have with my fellow double riders ... but the other is more personal. Yes, I know we all have our bad days, but I was upset at myself at not doing better on the last double. I would have normally said 3 is enough ... but I think I want to strive to get better.

I think I must be suffering from the ME mentality ... unless someone wacks on the side of the head with a stale and sticky pancake, my next one is Knoxville, at end of September ... 12,000+ feet climbing.

You will love Knoxville! That's my favorite double of the year and the Quacks really take care of the riders.

Unfortunately I have a work conflict (Interbike Show) so I'll miss Knoxville for the first time in four years (rats!).

Rick / OCRR

I'm still looking for that elusive 1/2 Century group. You know, that group that thinks 3 hours on a bike is quite enough, thank you. That burning 1200 calories is sufficient to stifle the post-ride burritos and beer guilt. That having the 2nd half of the day available to go to a movie, ball game, museum, amusement park, dog park, or golf course is what makes weekends fun.


Where are they?


With that being said, Double Riders get mad props from me, yo. My 'hammer of the underworld' starts screaming at about mile 40, then falls mysteriously silent about mile 50. About then is when I say, "Sorry guys, I have to repaint the garage today."

You will love Knoxville! That's my favorite double of the year and the Quacks really take care of the riders.

Unfortunately I have a work conflict (Interbike Show) so I'll miss Knoxville for the first time in four years (rats!).

Rick / OCRR
Well, at least I'm familiar with one of the climbs ... Loch Lomond ... they threw that in on Davis.

Right, Some of the Knoxville course is Davis backwards, but other parts are unique to Knoxville, so lots of variety there. Be sure to watch for the ascent of the hot air balooos at daybreak in the Napa Valley! That should be just before or after the first checkpoint, depending on how fast you rode the first climb.

Loch Lomond is after lunch, steep and long, no easy stretches, . . . just gear down and grind it out!

Rick / OCRR

mo phat I'm with you, and the faster we hammer the more time we will have down the line :)

I'm still looking for that elusive 1/2 Century group. You know, that group that thinks 3 hours on a bike is quite enough, thank you. That burning 1200 calories is sufficient to stifle the post-ride burritos and beer guilt. That having the 2nd half of the day available to go to a movie, ball game, museum, amusement park, dog park, or golf course is what makes weekends fun.


Where are they?


With that being said, Double Riders get mad props from me, yo. My 'hammer of the underworld' starts screaming at about mile 40, then falls mysteriously silent about mile 50. About then is when I say, "Sorry guys, I have to repaint the garage today."

Defection!

Well...Team D still finished the hundy...

Well...Team D still finished the hundy...

Nonsense. D was watching NASCAR on the couch.

Well no one has wacked myself on the side of the head yet, so looks like I'm doing more than 3 this year :D

Now, after riding 3 doubles, I've made some observations.

1. Double Century riders are a tight knit group. There is this special sense of cameraderie, and everyone is so friendly with each other. It always amazes me how familiar all the faces are at the doubles. It's almost like an exclusive club.
2. Single century riders are fun too, but there is not that big since of cameraderie, unless they are the same group of double century riders we see all the time.
3. Racing crowd is just not the same.

Ok, I'm now ready for the tongue lashing from groups 2 and 3.

I guess I'll do some of the group 3 lashing. I'll start by saying that I've done 2 doubles (so you got me there) a few races, and ride with a lot of racers.

I can't speak of the century riders, because I've only done one organized century with my wife. Organized centuries don't appeal to me because I can go out and do 100+ miles on my own, and do pretty much every week.

I would definately agree that double riders are a very tight group. The guys I rode with on Saturday do tons of them: one was wearing an "over 50 doubles" jersey, and the other guy knew practically everyone on the road it seemed. There aren't that many people crazy enough to do doubles regularly, so I think those that do will end up seeing each other and over again.

Now, as far as racers, I disagree. Maybe at the cat 5 (intro) level that is true, because there is a lot of turnover, and nobody really knows anybody else... but as you move through the ranks, you get guys who have been doing it a very long time, they all know each other, have been racing against each other for ever (sometimes decades!).

I'm still looking for that elusive 1/2 Century group. You know, that group that thinks 3 hours on a bike is quite enough, thank you. That burning 1200 calories is sufficient to stifle the post-ride burritos and beer guilt. That having the 2nd half of the day available to go to a movie, ball game, museum, amusement park, dog park, or golf course is what makes weekends fun.


Where are they?


With that being said, Double Riders get mad props from me, yo. My 'hammer of the underworld' starts screaming at about mile 40, then falls mysteriously silent about mile 50. About then is when I say, "Sorry guys, I have to repaint the garage today."


I am here Mo!!!

Although I've done many centuries and double metrics over the years, I've only done 3 double centuries in my entire life. They were:

1994 Grand Tour Lowland
2006 Grand Tour Lowland
2007 Grand Tour Highland

I'd like to do more.....:)